Charlotte
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
The Bobcats returned from their four-game Western Conference road trip without an away win to their name and they now remain the only team to have not won a single game on the road, despite the fact that they have played more road games than all but one other team (Toronto) and despite the fact that they have played more road games (10) than home games (8). At home, they are even Steven, winning four and losing four. They now start a three game home stand this week so hopefully that's one and a half more wins right there.
On Friday, the Bobcats fell 115-106to the Suns as Amare Stoudemire welcomed Emeka Okafor to the league with a virtuoso performance of 36 points on 13-20 shooting, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, and a steal and a block for good measure. Okafor replied with 14 points on 7-19 shooting, 10 rebounds, zero assists, and one steal, as he and the rest of the Bobcats were simply blown away.
On Sunday, the Bobcats lost to the suddenly resurgent Golden State Warriors 99-87despite Brevin Knight's 11 assists, Okafor's 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Gerald Wallace's three steals and three blocks. The Warriors simply outran the Bobcats as they held a 22-6 advantage in fast break points.
There's something about other team's arenas that seems to jinx this young expansion team. Fortunately they are home now and can get back to their winning ways. The Bobcats will also have a long stretch this week where they will be able to practice. Perhaps they should practice in foreign arenas?
NEXT GAME
The Bobcats (4-14, fourth in the Southeast) start a three-game home stand tomorrow, Tuesday, December 14th, as they host the New Orleans Hornets (1-18, fifth in the Southwest). Tomorrow will also be CONVERSION NIGHT (see Team Notes below) where fans can exchange old Hornets merchandise for new Bobcats stuff. It's like a currency exchange. The game starts at 7:00pm Eastern and will be broadcast on C-SET and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
Emeka Okafor now has ten double-doubles in a row.
The Bobcats have opened a new Team Store at Southpark Mall, adjacent to The Bombay Company and off the Hecht’s entrance. The store, open through January 15, 2005, carries a comprehensive selection of team merchandise.
Primoz Brezec, Jason Kapono and Emeka Okafor represent the Bobcats on the 2005 NBA All-Star Ballot. This year’s All-Star festivities will be held in the Mile High City of Denver on Sunday, February 20.
TOMORROW: The Charlotte Bobcats will hold “Conversion Night†on Tuesday, December 14, in conjunction with the Bobcats home game against the New Orleans Hornets. Fans who trade inold Hornets merchandise at the December 14 game against the Hornets will receive a free Bobcats cap, courtesy of Time Warner Cable and Harris Teeter.
INJURY UPDATE
Jamal Sampson(ankle) was activated off the injured list on Saturday but still missed his seventh straight game.Theron Smith(right knee injury),Bernard Robinson(knee), andJahidi White(shoulder) are all on the injured list.Keith Bogansleft the game on Sunday with a hurt ankle but thinks it is fine.
Brad Weinstein ofThe San Francisco Chroniclewrites: The Warriors saved their best for last Sunday, outscoring the Bobcats 11- 1 in the final three minutes to win 99-87 at the Arena in Oakland, their second victory in a month over the NBA's newcomers.
Dave Del Grande ofThe Daily Review Onlinewrites: Forced into using Dunleavy at the point during Speedy Claxton's two brief stints on the bench Sunday night, Montgomery watched his oversized ballhandler add to 15-rebound, nine-point and four-assist totals that all contributed to a hard-fought, 99-87 victory over the expansion Charlotte Bobcats at the Arena.
Rick Bonnell ofThe Charlotte Observerwrites: Charlotte Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff told his players not to mentally board the plane home before tipoff Sunday. They got the message ... sort of. Checkout time was delayed until the last four minutes against the Golden State Warriors.The Bobcats scored a single point in those last four minutes, and the Warriors won 99-87. The loss made the Bobcats 0-10 on the road and must have made a cross-country flight feel even longer.